Cultivating Between Rows covered

[nvpliers]

I'm using a C-shank 1-row cultivator, with straight bars [not sweeps]. One issue that I'm having trouble with is the turned-over soil flops onto the planted row, breaking some of the tender plants. I tried widening the spacing, and then angling the bars, but same result. Would a half sweep attached to the inner most shank throw the soil away from the planted row? Or if any other ideas I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[Duffster]

I'm using a C-shank 1-row cultivator, with straight bars [not sweeps]. One issue that I'm having trouble with is the turned-over soil flops onto the planted row, breaking some of the tender plants. I tried widening the spacing, and then angling the bars, but same result. Would a half sweep attached to the inner most shank throw the soil away from the planted row? Or if any other ideas I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Cultivators come with Shields or a rolling guard to protect the plants. maybe you could fashion some sheet metal to slide along the row to protect them.

Like this

or this

 

[randy41]

have you tried adjusting the angle of the inner bars? it doesn't look like you can change the height relative to the others.

 

[brin]

I agree with randy...try loosening the bolt on each of your inner shanks and turn them so they spill the soil away from the tender plants ...then tighten the bolts...see if that works.

 

[nvpliers]

Thanks. I played with angling the shanks. Also, I moved the interior shanks outward one bolt. It did help some...so I'll play with it more. As for vertical adjustments....there is one I can make, and that's to reverse the tips on the shanks, since the bars are offset. I made the outer bars to cut deeper, so I can ease up overall, which helps to not throw too much onto the planted rows.

On the shields, I googled that topic, and did find some ideas to put one together. That would work as well. Thanks all for your help.

 

[D7E]

We grow 4-600 acres of sunflowers and 2-300 acres of corn and cultivate them all several times but in this area on the black clay find guys remove the sheilds and discs because they plug with the heavy soil and the "dragging " does more harm to the roots than good. Choosing a narrow point over a sweep obviously helps and still acheives the soil movement to promote growth but gives less weed control so we tend to spray for the first pass when the plant is young then cultivate with sweeps later when the crop is taller and stem is big enough to take it !

 

[nvpliers]

We grow 4-600 acres of sunflowers and 2-300 acres of corn and cultivate them all several times but in this area on the black clay find guys remove the sheilds and discs because they plug with the heavy soil and the "dragging " does more harm to the roots than good. Choosing a narrow point over a sweep obviously helps and still acheives the soil movement to promote growth but gives less weed control so we tend to spray for the first pass when the plant is young then cultivate with sweeps later when the crop is taller and stem is big enough to take it !

Yes this makes sense. I may have gotten in there a bit too early. So after reading the responses, I will continue to adjust the settings, and wait until the stems become hardier before cultivating....and if I need to get in there early, at least for the first pass, I'll work only the outer tines, leaving the interior shanks off. Then later passes, I can go with all shanks working.

 

[sweettractors]

Yes this makes sense. I may have gotten in there a bit too early. So after reading the responses, I will continue to adjust the settings, and wait until the stems become hardier before cultivating....and if I need to get in there early, at least for the first pass, I'll work only the outer tines, leaving the interior shanks off. Then later passes, I can go with all shanks working.

That type cultivator has "swinging fenders" available from most mfgrs. Here is a less expensive way to fix the issue....You should have 2 bolts that hold on the point. Just below the top bolt that holds on the point, wrap tightly electric fence wire until it protrudes 1/2-3/4 inch out from the points leading front edge. This will cause the dirt to breakup and roll back down before it curls over onto the tender plants. Not joking! Ken Sweet

 

[nvpliers]

That type cultivator has "swinging fenders" available from most mfgrs. Here is a less expensive way to fix the issue....You should have 2 bolts that hold on the point. Just below the top bolt that holds on the point, wrap tightly electric fence wire until it protrudes 1/2-3/4 inch out from the points leading front edge. This will cause the dirt to breakup and roll back down before it curls over onto the tender plants. Not joking! Ken Sweet

Thanks neighbor! There is more than one way to skin a cat. I have all the needed parts to rig this up and give it a try. Thanks again, and get out and enjoy this KY humidity!

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks neighbor! There is more than one way to skin a cat. I have all the needed parts to rig this up and give it a try. Thanks again, and get out and enjoy this KY humidity!

If this fails and you need a set of swinging fenders, I may be able to get a set for you? Keep us posted. Ken Sweet